Season of Our Joy!

At Yeshua’s House, we’re learning. And though our goal is to obey rightly in all aspects of our Abba’s torah (rightly applied, in the same way and with the same heart as our beloved Messiah), the truth is we’re flawed people – all of us. But there are two facets of obedience where we refuse to fail – loving Yahweh with all our being, and loving our neighbor. To that end, at YH we prize modeling obedience above critiquing others’ obedience. In fact, we believe the best way to win someone over isn’t by pointing fingers, showing others the “right way,” but rather by being so full of joy and grace that those around us will want to do what we’re doing because they see and feel life in what we’re doing.

As I (Traver) studied Metzora (Parashah 86) not long ago, I read something by Tim Hegg that rang true. It applies to all who seek to obey Yahweh via Yah’s commandments. And indeed, it applies to our Sukkot observance.

Now if we have this perspective well in mind, our striving to “get it right” when it comes to halachah will be done in a spirit of patience and forbearance, not with the goal of “winning” the argument. If my ultimate purpose in walking right is to be pleasing to the Lord, then it is clear that I will be careful how I treat my brother in the pursuit of proper halachah. Please do not misunderstand what I am saying here. I do not mean to imply that loving my brother means I must compromise my convictions of what is right or wrong in order to please him. But it does mean that in my striving to do what is right, I do all in my power to bring my brother along with me, not leave him “in the dust” or abandon him because he does not agree with my understanding of this matter or that. Once again, if my focus is on pleasing the Lord, then I will strive to have the same perspective Yeshua had in halachic issues. He did not abandon a compassion for His neighbor in the midst of His separated and holy life. If anything, He demonstrated a deep compassion for those who were erring, and sought ways to call them to repentance and to holy living. In His walk He showed forth true humility and meekness – a willingness to be diminished in the eyes of the prominent in order to show patience and love to the lowly who were seeking the truth. What is more, He had all His halachah right!

At YH, we have a policy. Obey gracefully. See to it that your life is a sweet-smelling aroma to our Savior and Master. With a circumcised heart, don’t walk in the letter of the Law, but rather keep Abba’s Law with all love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. For guess what?! Against such things there is no law!

Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of Yahweh’s mercy, let us enjoy Sukkot together, and please, by all means, obey to the fullest! Be, as it were, an olah offering! But whatever that looks like for you, also inspire, love, and be gracious with others as you do it. No critiquing. No sour talk of any kind, whether in public or private. If you can’t do that (or suspect you can’t), please don’t register. But if you can sing with us, smile with us, serve with us, and rejoice with us as we rehearse the coming of our Bridegroom and the Marriage Super of the Lamb, then come on! We can’t wait to worship the God of all creation with you!

With utter joy in Messiah Yeshua,

YH Elders